Numerous East Enders ran in last weekend’s New York City Marathon. Others chose to attend as spectators, whether be it watching course-side or from the comfort of their home. I chose to support one of my favorite people by spending the entire weekend in NYC. She was running for Team Animal League, which is part of North Shore Animal League.

While I am not a runner, I admit that I got caught up in the excitement of marathon weekend.

It started with a tour of the North Shore Animal League, where Katie Garrity, who is the events coordinator for the team, showed us how they rescue, house and give love to hundreds of cute doggies and kitties all at once. While there, the scores of red-shirted workers we encountered proved that volunteerism is alive and well in New York. Being the largest no-kill animal shelter on the planet obviously requires not just a lot of hands-on help, but significant money as well.

And that is what brought me to the shelter. As part of Team Animal League, my friend raised $3,000 from her sponsors—all of which goes directly to the cause.

After the tour, I attended a marathon kick-off parade on Friday night, a Team Animal League luncheon on Saturday afternoon and a pasta dinner under the tents in Central Park on Saturday night. The electric atmosphere made me want to start running, but I‘m not sure I would want to wake at the crack of dawn and then punish myself by attempting to run 26.2 miles.

So I watched the majority of the race from a luxurious suite at the Sofitel hotel. By tracking my friend’s progress on the TCS Marathon website, I knew the exact time she was scheduled to cross the finish line. This gave me the ability to relax, order room service, have a few cocktails and even switch back and forth to the early football games until, at the last minute, I would take the subway over to Columbus Circle, making her think I had been dutifully standing there waiting all day.

Yes, it was a great weekend. My friend finished despite having major knee issues, North Shore Animal League’s team runners raised well over $100,000, and the great work they do will continue.

If you want to support the North Shore Animal League, donations are always welcome. Also, they are hosting a dinner and fundraising gala on November 20 that is sure to be a great time for all. A number of celebrities will be attending, including recent Hamptons visitor Amy Schumer, Lisa Lampanelli, Wilson Phillips, who will perform, and, of course, our very own Beth Ostrosky Stern, who is the event’s honorary chairperson. Her husband—the one who has the radio and television show—will also be there serving as co-honorary chair.

Tickets are still available at animalleague.org. Buy a ticket, help a worthy cause and tell them Mr. Sniev of DansPapers.com sent you!

P.S. North Shore Animal League currently has some majorly cute pups and kitties available for adoption, just in time for the winter snuggling season.